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The Harbor Master


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comsdude

Mon Feb 26 2018, 07:02am

Registered Member #5117

Joined: Wed Jan 24 2018, 05:11pm
Posts: 8

I have been modeling for years however this is my first boat. I came to this particular by way of flea market. The price was right and I thought it would be a nice change of pace.
This is a Midwest Products Harbor Master and while there is no full size version of this exact model it is based on a Character Tug Boat. These were boats built to look like tug boats but are cruising yachts. Generally they are used to harbor hop or for day cruises. The closest full sized model I could find was a Godzilla Mini Tug.

Length 24′-8″
Beam 9′-0″
Draft 2′-9″
Displacement 5800 lbs.
Construction is stick and glue plywood.

https://boatbuild.wordpress.com/about/

So follow along as I build this lady!

comsdude

Mon Feb 26 2018, 01:20pm

Registered Member #5117

Joined: Wed Jan 24 2018, 05:11pm
Posts: 8

Just finished the basic keel. Now onto the keel support strips. You will notice that the stuffing box is a bit larger than the rudder tube. This is because I couldn't locate a running hardware kit for this particular model. I managed to get the specs as to what it contained and put together the pieces as best I could. I could have used the same sized tubing and shaft but couldn't find a prop that would fit so I went with this Aquacraft replacement part for one of their RTR Tug boats. I will make adjustments to the wood as necessary.

Mike 41

Mon Feb 26 2018, 06:32pm

Registered Member #702

Joined: Fri Feb 05 2010, 10:37pm
Posts: 1238

Hi Larry,

Looks like an interesting project. The keel looks like it may be a little on the thin side if you can hold it in place with magnets, check the plans for the thickness.

Mike

comsdude

Tue Feb 27 2018, 06:30am

Registered Member #5117

Joined: Wed Jan 24 2018, 05:11pm
Posts: 8

Hi Mike,
The Keel is reinforced with 1/8" x 1/4" basswood support strips. They have not been installed yet. You can't see them on the plan since the keel is covering it. I needed to make something that I could use to soak the wood for bending. Came up with what I think is a genius idea. Since using the bathtub was not going to happen I decided that I needed a cheap vessel that would hold hot water. So I went to lowe's, bought a 48" piece of of 3" PVC pipe that I cut down to 36". Put a permanent cap on one end and a clean out plug on the other. So all I need to do is fill the pipe with hot water put in the wood and screw on the cap. I insulated the pipe with foam wrap so the water should stay warm for quite a while. I then got the tip to use a curling iron to bend to wood. My wife doesn't know it yet but she is going to be looking for hers.

comsdude

Sat Mar 24 2018, 10:42pm

Registered Member #5117

Joined: Wed Jan 24 2018, 05:11pm
Posts: 8

So it's been a while since I have been able to work on this. Life keeps getting in the way. Finally finished the keel by installing the keel support strips. I also glued the deck and sub deck halves together a couple weeks ago. Between yesterday and today I managed to test fit and adjust the frames to the keel, sub-deck and deck. Then tack glued everything to make sure it all looked OK. Finally glued all frame joints to the deck, sub-deck and keel. There were some adjustments I needed to make to account for the larger stuffing box but it's all worked out.

Mike 41

Mon Mar 26 2018, 02:15pm

Registered Member #702

Joined: Fri Feb 05 2010, 10:37pm
Posts: 1238

Hi Larry,
It’s good to see some progress. You will need to add some filler material between the frames before planking, the bulkheads are too far apart.
Mike

donfarr

Sun Mar 24 2019, 09:26pm

Registered Member #2001

Joined: Fri Dec 23 2011, 09:51pm
Posts: 1295

Hi Larry, I am getting ready to do this build but from semi-scratch, I have most of the templates, but I need the instructions I am pretty sure I have the plans, is there anyway to get the instructions from you would be very happy to reimburse for any costs involved. THANKS Don Farr